Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation

THE DISNEY NEWS
March 29, 2006
Copyright © 1999 - 2006 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
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Hi Everyone!

In this blog...

* Deals and specials - including FREE TICKETS to both
Universal Orlando theme parks in this vacation package!
* The latest news from around the "World" - including the
new rear entrance to Walt Disney World
* JoAnn writes about her experience at Epcot in a wheelchair
* Cena writes about her WDW vacation followed by a Disney
cruise
* Money saving tip for our readers in Louisiana
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We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:

WALT DISNEY WORLD

Book your room now at these Deluxe resorts on Disney
property and enjoy rates starting as low as $149 per room,
per night in August and September, 2006!

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Affordable Disney March Promotion For Members Only!

We're including a $25 Disney gift card with each booking of
any 2006 Magic Your Way package of $1,500 or more! The gift
card is usable at DisneyShopping.com, for Disney catalog
purchases, and at Disney Stores in USA. You must be an
Affordable Disney member at the time of booking in order to
qualify. The card will be sent to you after final payment
has been made. You don't get the card if you cancel/rebook
or if your total per room/suite/villa/cabin drops below
$1,500 due to changes (which would include a reduction in
price because of a promotion). Good for new reservations
only. Limit of one card per room/suite/villa/cabin booked.
If multiple rooms are on one booking, the average cost per
room/suite/villa/cabin must be a minimum of $1,500 to
qualify for additional cards.

Members should log in today and contact Beth to take
advantage of this promotion. Promotion ends March 31!

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These specials are still in effect for 04/23/06 - 06/03/06!

* Save hundreds on this Disney vacation package! Includes
water parks, park hopping and Disney dining plan! Hurry!
Book by 03/30/06.

* Receive a FREE ticket upgrade worth almost $400.00 to a
family of four! Hurry! Book by 03/30/06.

* Save $25 at the Value resorts; $40 at the Moderate
resorts; and $100 at the Deluxe resorts. Reserve by
06/03/06.

* Save up to $95.00 per night at the Disney World resorts
this spring! Reserve by 06/03/06.

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Incredible Universal Vacation Deal! FREE TICKETS to both
Universal Orlando theme parks in this vacation package!
Good all year except Easter and Christmas. Don't miss
this one if you want to experience Universal!

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How to win a free ride photo at Expedition Everest!

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4 more links to games, wallpapers, and screensavers have
been added to our Disney Goodies page.

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Amtrak Guest Rewards Program

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Two New Chances to...

Win a 4-night trip for four to Walt Disney World!

Win a 2-night trip for four to Universal Orlando or
Universal Studios Hollywood!

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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

Save 25% at Olszewski Sculptures & Accessories at the
Disneyland resort with this coupon!

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SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO

Canadian ticket deal!

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If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here.
Members can use the following URLs to log in:

Lifetime Deluxe Member
Lifetime Basic Member
Deluxe Member
Basic Member
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"

WALT DISNEY WORLD

"Disney recently sold 53 acres on Sherberth Road south of
Disney's Animal Kingdom to a developer who wants to build
hundreds of vacation town homes and condominium units, and
another 47 acres on Reams Road, north of the Magic Kingdom,
to a home builder. Another 30 acres is for sale on U.S.
Highway 192." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/28/06)
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"Disney Park's Yeti Ride May Be Its Scariest

Everest, set to open April 7 in Disney's Animal Kingdom,
features a train navigating an 80-foot drop, rumbling over
bridges and through valleys backward and forward to escape
the monster, who has seemingly twisted and broken the
tracks." (Source: Associated Press, 03/26/06)
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"Western Way, the new rear entrance to Walt Disney World
from the new Western Beltway expressway, is set to open
April 4. The four-lane, divided boulevard will give Disney a
western entrance for the first time, allowing tourists
coming in via Interstate 75 to enter Central Florida on
Florida's Turnpike and the Western Beltway (State Road 429),
then enter Disney without ever entering Orlando or driving
on Interstate 4." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/27/06)
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"In April 2006, Discovery Networks will introduce viewers to
high-altitude viewing with the debut of original Everest-
themed programming across several of its networks... Everest
programming on the Discovery Networks coincides with the
opening of Walt Disney World's newest attraction."
(Source: Discovery Channel, 03/22/06)
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Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
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OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD

"The [Nickelodeon] hotel, a Holiday Inn that underwent a $25
million makeover last year, tied for 10th on Child
magazine's new list of the best family-friendly resorts. The
magazine evaluated 340 U.S. resorts, taking into
consideration offerings from toddler tennis lessons to
facials for kindergartners." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/28/06)
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"Central Florida's booming economy has left few professional
positions unfilled -- but the tourism sector has openings
aplenty, though pay is low... Shanle's Holiday Inn, near
Walt Disney World, is in the midst of a major hiring push as
it gears up for the busy summer travel season... SeaWorld
Orlando already has raised its starting wage by 20 cents to
$7 an hour as summer approaches." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/26/06)
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"Disney Theatrical already has a serious problem on its
hands with "Tarzan." Given that -- what with the way that
director Bob Crowley is currently staging this new musical
as well as the way the Richard Rodgers Theatre is laid out
-- almost a fourth of the seats in the orchestra section
have a seriously obstructed view of this show."
(Source: Jim Hill Media, 03/27/06)
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DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA

"Disneyland Park will be the venue for the world movie
premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest [on
June 24]... Disneyland Park will close at 5 p.m. that day.
All major Disneyland Park entertainment (parades and
firework shows) will also be suspended on June 24." (Source:
Disneyland email blast, 03/28/06)
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Mini Gay Day: Disneyland's Magic Kingdom April 1, 2006.
Gay Day 2006: Disneyland's Magic Kingdom October 6-8, 2006.
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"Spin, blast, zap and score! Now you can save the galaxy and
help your favorite Radio and TV station bring home the
cosmically coveted Buzz Cup trophy! Play Buzz Lightyear
Astro Blasters Online during your designated "Hometown" time
period to earn your team bonus points."
(Source: disneyland.disney.go.com, 03/27/06)
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Disney's California Food and Wine Weekends will take place
at the Disney's California Adventure April 28 - May 21,
2006. Click here for details.
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The Walt Disney Family Museum

"If everything goes as planned, sometime in late 2008 or
early 2009, the doors will open to the public on a very
special place to share the story and the legacy of Walt
Disney. So... how about a sneak peak at what lies in store
for the guests to this Museum?" (Source: Jim HillMedia, 03/23/06)
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Disneyland Resort Calendar
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HONG KONG DISNEYLAND

"The daughter of a woman who died at Hong Kong Disneyland
last year has accused the Hong Kong government of a coverup
after learning no inquest will be held." (Source: UPI, 03/23/06)
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NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without
notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message,
search the newspaper's archives for the story. Certain
newspapers require a free registration to view their
articles online. If web addresses are broken into more than
one line, copy and paste all lines.
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JoAnn writes:

"Dear Mr Gross;

My family, friends and I spent our New Year's Day at Epcot.
Everything we managed to see was beautiful. I and my family
and friends have two complaints. We were very disappointed
in the fact of how much money it cost us to get in, when
half the attractions there were closed. Lets face it - to
get in the gate to eat dinner is very costly especially when
you want to see something and its shut down.

I was in a wheelchair - very few exhibits have wheelchair
entrances, which made it very hard for me. We were on a very
long line waiting to go onto the new ride Soarin which had a
steep incline. My daughter tried holding on to me but the
chair slipped out of her hands. I tried grabbing onto the
railing not to hit the people in front of me, I couldn't. I
hit my left arm and ended up bruising with some pain. The
people that worked there wanted me to report it. I did not
saying I'll be okay.

I never thought I would have a hard time sleeping and waking
up bruised. I am not a thin person it is very hard trying to
hold on to the wheel chair on a steep downward incline. I
know Disney must have photos and would know the people
working at the time. It was between say 8:25 pm and 8:45 pm.
I need too find out who I make a complaint to with
DisneyWorld Epcot."

You can send a complaint online with this form:
http://disney.go.com/Mail/DisneyWorld/index.html

By snail mail:

COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS:
Walt Disney World Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Let us know their response.
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Cena writes:

"Me, my husband and 2 children went to Florida October 2005
for my daughter's 8th Birthday. We spent 1 day at Magic
Kingdom, which was not enough. We managed to see only half
of the park, so I strongly advise people to spend at least 2
days there. We were exhausted by the afternoon and were
staying at Pop Century. Our room cost $116 per night which I
thought was a decent price. And we were able to shuttle back
to our hotel for a quick rest and went back for the
fireworks in the evening.

I have friends that stayed at another moderate disney resort
and they had to share shuttle buses with other resort. Pop
Century has their own separate buses that go to each resort.
Which is probably a real time saver.

If I may add the lady we originally reserved our room through
was more than helpful at trying to put us in the closest
building to the food court. Our youngest child was 2yr
5mnths and that helped a lot.

We then followed with a 4 night cruise on the Disney Cruise
line. It being our first cruise we were a little nervous
about it. But had a great time. my husband loved that
experience so much he wanted to book another while we were
on board. There is so much to do on the ship, that you do
miss some things and wish you hadn't.

We are taking a cruise without the children this year or we
would be back on Disney again. I am afraid I will be
overwhelmed with guilt without the children. Everything is
so clean and well taken care of on the ship. And the lady
that cleaned our room was so friendly. The children enjoyed
it just as much as we did. We hope to do it again with the
kids in 2007. Thank You."
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Pixar/Disney Collectible

Pixar stock certificates are becoming valuable as a
collector's item due to Disney's recent acquisition of the
company. The certificates are very colorful and are
decorated with pictures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear from
"Toy Story." Pixar disappears April 23. Get your collectible stock certificate here!
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MONEY SAVING TIP FOR OUR READERS IN LOUISIANA

Disney On Ice
Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo
Lafayette, Louisiana
The Cajundome
Apr 26, 2006 - Apr 30, 2006

Kids' tickets $12 with this coupon)
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Don't Leave Home Without It!

Universal offers special deals to Universal Entertainment
MasterCard cardholders. Apply now and receive a movie ticket
with your first purchase! For more details, click here.
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Affordable Disney Books

Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price.
Hundreds of books under $1.00! Plus! Over 700 videos have
been marked down to $1.99! To check out the bargains, click
here.
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Got Coupons?

With the Orlando Entertainment Book, you can save big on
travel, groceries, shopping, movie tickets, and more!
Coupons in the 2006 book are valid through 11/01/06. Save at
hotels and restaurants near Walt Disney World, on car
rental, airfare, admission to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld
Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa! For details, click here.
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Affordable Accommodations

Get the guaranteed lowest prices at the Downtown Disney
Resorts as well as at hotels, condos and vacation rentals
outside Disney property. Plus! Receive up to a $100.00 rebate! For hotels, click here.
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Affordable Car Rental

Just enter in your travel dates, select the kind of car you
want, and receive a list of car rental prices at over 12
companies starting with the cheapest price! Click here.

Cheryl writes: "I saved over $200.00 on my mini van rental!!!"
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Affordable Airfare

This service delivers as many as 230 flight options in a
single search - more options than any other travel site.
It's possible to save as much as 80%! To compare prices, click here.
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Affordable Luggage

Save up to 60% on Luggage, Backpacks, and more! Donna and I
bought a beautiful 5-piece set of Samsonite luggage for our
daughter for Christmas for $144! Click here.
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Own a piece of the Magic Kingdom

Disney framed stock certificates are works of art. They
feature Walt Disney and the Disney characters. Unlike stock
brokers that require you to purchase several shares of
stock, OneShare sells one share of stock and mails you the
certificate. You can frame the stock certificate yourself or
OneShare will frame if for you at a nominal cost. Click here.
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See You Real Soon!

John

AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
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Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information
contained in THE DISNEY NEWS. Always check to be sure. The
views and opinions expressed by others in THE DISNEY NEWS do
not necessarily reflect the views of AffordableDisney.Com.
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